Prince Harry confirms his UK return date after losing devastating security battle
Prince Harry has confirmed when he will make his next trip to Britain following a UK judge's dismissal of his plea to restore his state-funded security last month. While it's expected that the Duke of Sussex will return long before this date, Harry has confirmed he will be back on British soil for the Invictus Games when they are held in Birmingham in 2027.
Back in July 2024, it was announced that the city had won its bid to host the Games but the specific dates were yet to be confirmed. However, this all changed on Tuesday when the official Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 social media account posted: "SAVE THE DATES! The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 are coming: 10th–17th July. Opening Ceremony: 10th July. Closing Ceremony: 17th July."
Prince Harry found inspiration to launch the Invictus Games after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and witnessing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery. He went on to launch the first games in London in 2014 and has since held the tournament in locations all around the world including Orlando, Sydney, Dusseldorf and, most recently, hosted the first winter version of the games in Whistler, Canada.
The update regarding the Invictus Games comes a little over a month after the duke lost his the latest stage of his legal battle in the UK, the Express reports.
Shortly after his defeat which saw a UK judge dismiss the prince's plea for restoration of state-funded security, Harry took part in a scathing interview with the BBC.
The broadcaster released the interview where the duke said he was "devastated" by the situation and publicly confessed his wishes for "reconciliation" with the Royal Family, including his dad King Charles.
In an emotional statement, he made an eyebrow raising remark about the King's health, sparking concern after he stated he does not know how long the monarch has left to live as he continues his treatment for cancer.
The Duke also said: "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.
"There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family".
Despite this, he added that he had now "forgiven" them.
Harry continued: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious."
He referred to the dispute over his security as something which had "always been the sticking point".
Prince Harry first fell out with his family in January 2020 when he relocated to the US with his wife Meghan Markle.
The pair stepped down from their senior royal roles less than two years after officially tying the knot at St George's Chapel in 2018.
Harry has only came face to face with his family a number of times since, including at the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022 and King Charles' Coronation in 2023.
He is believed to not be on friendly terms with any senior members of the Firm including his brother, Prince William and his mother-in-law, Queen Camilla.
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